The Stroke Association voices its support for The Carers (Equal Opportunities) Bill submitted to House of Commons

The Stroke Association has given its support to The Carers (Equal Opportunities) Bill launched by Labour MP for Aberavon Dr Hywel Francis, which is set to undergo its second reading in the House of Commons on Friday 6th February.

The bill, which was launched by Dr Francis following his own experiences of caring for his disabled son Sam, was developed in close conjunction with Carers UK. The bill aims to ensure that local authorities and health and social services have a responsibility to provide carers with support services and information on their rights and training and work opportunities to help them lead more fulfilling lives.

'Once every 5 minutes someone in this country has a stroke; over a third are left with long-term disabilities. Many of them often need help and support from families and carers with the practical, physical and emotional difficulties they face whilst coming to terms with the devastating effects of their strokes, ' explained Margaret Goose, Chief Executive of The Stroke Association.

'Hundreds of thousands of people have devoted their lives to caring for someone who has become disabled following a stroke. Much of this support is voluntary - provided by partners, relatives, friends and family who often have to give up employment in order to be able to give that support. Unfortunately the substantial lifestyle changes that carers have to make and the new responsibilities they take on, often overnight, can take their toll.'

It is estimated that the carers of stroke survivors save the state over £1.5 billion a year in care provision. In a survey by The Stroke Association, 70% of carers had worries about looking after someone with a stroke, and 63% had problems or concerns about their own health.

'We welcome any moves to ensure that carers are given the recognition and support that they deserve to help them with the challenges they often face,' continued Margaret Goose.

'We would urge MPs to support this bill as it will have far-reaching benefits for the well being of carers. This will naturally also be a tremendous benefit to those they look after.'


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Sources:

1.'Stroke care: reducing the burden of disease'. The Stroke Association, 1998.
2. Speaking Out About Stroke Services - a survey by The Stroke Association 2001.

Notes to Editor:
· A stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is disrupted.
· Stroke is one of the biggest killers and has a greater disability impact than any other medical condition.
· Around 130,000 people in the UK suffer a first stroke each year - about 13,000 are under the age of 55 and 1,000 are under the age of 30.
· The Stroke Association is the only national charity solely concerned with stroke across all age groups. It funds research into prevention, treatment, better methods of rehabilitation and helps stroke patients and their families directly through its community services. These include visiting services, dysphasia support, family support, an information service, welfare grants, publications and leaflets.
· A recent finding by the Health Service Ombudsman ruled that the NHS were wrong to deny a 63-yr-old patient with Alzheimer's disease access to free nursing care at home.

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